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coin slot detector

coin slot detector
by: amy khoshbin
her website: www.tinyscissors.com

when your coin slot is exposed, this wearable hip-pack vibrates that area to make you aware of it. you decide to cover up, or let it all hang out.

the coin slot detector is a simple way to tackle the complicated modern problem low-rise jeans can cause. with this hip pack, now your coin slot itself is given the sensory power to alert you as to when it's exposed. both you and your coin slot decide what's next. 

tech summary: using a Lilypad Arduino, vibrating motor, and a photoresistor (measures the amount of light in your coin slot), you will make a wearable apparatus. when the photoresistor/your coin slot is covered, the hip-pack is at rest, when it/your coin slot is exposed, this triggers the vibrating motor to start vibrating & let the user know.
 
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Step 1Ingredients

ingredients
get your ingredients together!

for this project you'll need:
-11.5 x 14.5 in fabric
-conductive thread
-lilypad arduino
-vibrating motor
-1N4004 diode
-photoresistor (sometimes called photo cell)
-1.5 to 5 V step-up battery pack
-wire
-wire cutters
-thread
-snaps
-snap tool
-suspender clips
-plastic tubing

for protoyping (not pictured):
-breadboard (you can buy this at Radio Shack)
-Arduino Diecimila
-USB cable
-alligator clips (also buy these at Radio Shack)
-USB to Serial Converter
-female headers
-headers

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93 comments
1-40 of 93next »
Jan 29, 2012. 10:40 PMGyroGearLoose47 says:
This is a totally funny project. I can not comment on the electronics as I am old schooled in electronics. Your photos are consistently excelent. I read about half the comments and others appreciate your efforts, as do I. If your not a Tech or EE, I would be surprised. Please give us more when you can! Thanks.
Jan 13, 2012. 7:14 AMtuttle1970 says:
Southern saying..... Crack Kills
Nov 28, 2011. 2:58 PMtechboy411 says:
COOL. so silly!!!LOL
Oct 26, 2011. 9:00 PMbusterbuster18724 says:
we call it in nz builders crack
Oct 31, 2008. 3:00 AMnervouswreck says:
Hi Amy, Over here in england we call it A Bricklayers Arse, Or when you spot one We ask politly "Can i park my bicycle"
Oct 31, 2008. 2:43 PMbmlbytes says:
We call it a plumber's crack (Mid-Northern USA), probably for similar reasons.
Nov 3, 2008. 5:02 AMsmogit says:
Not sure what part of England you come from, but in my part we call it builders bum, so much more polite...
Dec 4, 2010. 1:21 PMuberdum05 says:
Yeah, sounds about right for yourkshire people.. :)
Jan 2, 2011. 3:53 PMJay Spannerz says:
It's called Plumber's Crack here in Australia too...
Just goes to show the world is being Americanised - in a good way, of course ;D
Oct 22, 2011. 12:45 PMpilgrimboz says:
by speaking ENGLISH?? :)
Jan 23, 2011. 6:48 AMNhuun says:
We call it a plumber's crack (or just plumber) here in Iceland too ;D
Jan 25, 2011. 9:30 AMnervouswreck says:
Hi Again guys & gal's, Just got in from work and watching a cooking competition, Theres a guy with 2 bicycle parking placesshowing above his jeans, The commentator said "I thought you said your a cook not a plumber"
Jun 7, 2011. 4:53 AMaverage joe 1999 says:
sometimes in america we say "crack attack!"
Jul 17, 2011. 9:03 AMMadCobbler says:
Or we might say the moon is awfully bright tonight.
Aug 17, 2011. 6:44 PMilpug says:
or "say no to crack"
Sep 18, 2011. 1:52 PMahuerta says:
Even "crack kills" works.
Oct 31, 2011. 9:03 PMIncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter says:
sneak right up behind his back,
and strike match
and drop the burning sulfur right between their cheeks!
Oct 31, 2011. 9:17 PMJay Spannerz says:
The Crack Is Back - Hehe xD
Jun 6, 2011. 6:08 PMoRelyTo says:
:P I am confused.
Apr 24, 2011. 9:00 PMNaturalCrafter says:
Ha ha! I had to laugh as my friend works on real coin slots. I did not realize what it was till I clicked for a closer look.
Sep 27, 2010. 5:53 PMguitarmonk15 says:
Buy (or in true instructabler spirit, make) a belt. Problem solved. That's right, it took me two seconds to outsmart your arduino photoresistor flux capacitor stuff.
Dec 2, 2010. 5:06 PMhintss says:
genius! a belt with the arduino photoresistor flux capacitor stuff!

besides, who dosen't like overcomplicating things?
Jan 27, 2011. 3:56 PMwbothun says:
Maybe a belt with the photoresister that will engage a belt-tightener
Aug 3, 2009. 2:00 PMGamernotnerd says:
You don't need the Arduino, just wire the photoresistor between the motor and the battery, cheap solution. Or use a MOSFET with a diode to block inductive kickback, if you can be arsed.
Mar 26, 2010. 2:09 PMMr.NHRA says:
 The photoresistor will take some of the voltage from the motor and will eventually burn out if you just hook it up in a line. The arduino is the most reliable way to go.
Dec 4, 2010. 1:19 PMuberdum05 says:
No, read the post above and that is the easiest and cheapest way, a arduino is OVERKILL for something as simple as that!
Dec 17, 2010. 11:33 AMmarkness says:
I'd rather just stick with the quarter, but have fun being polite and all.
Oct 29, 2008. 10:26 PMNachoMahma says:
. Fantastic job! Great iBle and terrific sense of humor.
Dec 2, 2010. 5:10 PMhintss says:
whats your microQR code (atleast it dosen't seem to have the 4th square on it) say?
Dec 2, 2010. 5:18 PMNachoMahma says:
Dec 2, 2010. 5:24 PMNachoMahma says:
. PS: so you don't have to download the pic and then upload it to the site, it says "NachoMahma" :)
Oct 4, 2010. 12:11 PMAlternateLives says:
Plumber crack detector. very nice. very nice.
Sep 4, 2010. 7:31 PMangelabchua says:
hahahahha man, we need a video of this in action! I know I have been an offender once or twice, or 12 times.
May 16, 2010. 7:21 AMNostalgicStone says:
 HaHAhahAha Kickass
Oct 30, 2008. 5:27 PMcamscam says:
I think these need to be government issued to all frequent offenders like an ankle bracelet or the device drunks have to blow in to start their car. As a side note I don't know how it ever became acceptable or hip to show off ays-crack!?!?! Its not cool put it back!
Nov 7, 2008. 6:10 AMlantz says:
(removed by author or community request)
Nov 10, 2008. 8:49 AMcamscam says:
That's actually my point. We need a universal cultural ban on butt-cracks I think cute chicks have many better ways to get attention. God forbid if the "coin slot" becomes the new "muffin top"!?
May 16, 2010. 2:08 AMDerin says:
(removed by the coin slot opener group for being against coin slots)
Nov 9, 2008. 10:17 PMtitancore says:
agreed!
Mar 6, 2010. 1:42 AMharrydask88 says:
niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
1-40 of 93next »

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Author:semiotech(Amy Khoshbin)
Amy Khoshbin is an Iranian-American artist based in Brooklyn. She creates hybrids between performance, video and installation art, music, and interactive media to explore the subjects of perception an...
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